Tin Hau Festival: Celebrating Hong Kong’s Supreme Goddess of the Sea

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Falling on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, on April 15 this year, the Tin Hau Festival celebrates the birth of Tin Hau, the supreme Goddess of the Sea.

Owing to Hong Kong’s maritime heritage, Tin Hau is widely celebrated in the city over a few days. Also known as the patron saint of fishermen, she dominates the landscape of the city’s folk religion. Over 80 temples are dedicated to the goddess.

On the day of the festival, worshippers flock to various Tin Hau temples across the city to pray for safety at sea, good weather, and full fishing nets the coming year. Numerous processions also take place on the day to celebrate the goddess, with the most impressive one being the Tin Hau Processions in Yuen Long. Another prominent event is the celebrations at Joss House Bay, where Hong Kong’s oldest Tin Hau Temple is located. And bamboo theatres rise at various locations to celebrate her through music and opera performances over several days.

Unfortunately, the processions have been cancelled this year due to concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the celebrations take place every year, so Tin Hau enthusiasts will definitely get a chance to properly celebrate next year.